Jul 16, 2014
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Categorically rejecting the “narrative” of the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel wherein Jewish Israelis are considering occupiers and/or colonizers of a foreign territory, a resolution of the membership of the Rabbinical Council of America – representing over 1000 Orthodox rabbis throughout the United States, Canada, Israel, and beyond – calls upon "all people of good will to denounce, oppose, and obstruct BDS efforts whenever they are in a position to do so."

Formally adopted by a direct vote of the RCA membership, the full text of “2014 Resolution: The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanction Movement against the State of Israel” states:

WHEREAS The Land of Israel is the national Jewish homeland and has been so for millennia; and

WHEREAS The return of the Jewish people to that homeland and the establishment of the State of Israel therein are historically and morally just; and

WHEREAS Hatred of Jews and Judaism has taken various forms over the millennia; and

WHEREAS Natan Sharansky has identified "Three D's" - demonization, delegitimization, and double standards -­ any of which marks words or deeds against the State of Israel as anti­-Semitic and therefore illegitimate; and

WHEREAS The BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) movement against the State of Israel is, by that standard, anti­-Semitic

Therefore, the Rabbinical Council of America

Categorically denies the “narrative” of BDS proponents, wherein Israelis are occupiers and/or colonizers of a land foreign to them; and

Reaffirms its condemnation of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s recent adoption of a measure calling for divestment from major companies doing business with Israel and extends said condemnation to any other body that has adopted or shall adopt a BDS policy; and

Expects all people of good will to denounce, oppose, and obstruct BDS efforts whenever they are in a position to do so.